The awards were conducted by Industrial Psychology Consultants (IPC), which is headed by Memory Nguwi, after undertaking a Best Employers in Zimbabwe Survey.
The survey was conducted from late October 2011 to April 2012 using the Employee Engagement Index (EEI) Instrument. This instrument provides a definitive benchmark for participants to measure their effectiveness in creating a workplace that engages the support and commitment of their employees and delivers value to customers. 29 companies participated in the 2011 survey.
The guest of honour at the awards ceremony, John Mufukare, who is the executive director of the Employer Confederation of Zimbabwe, encouraged Industrial Psychology Consultants to keep on undertaking the survey as it was important for companies to strive to be employers of choice.
He also said it was encouraging to see national employee engagement levels were going up. The EEI for 2011 was 64,26%. The result this year is 10,11% higher than the result for 2010 (54,15%). Mufukare, however, insisted companies should not rest now as this was only the beginning.
He congratulated IPC for its determination to invest in companies to train them to have good leadership skills.
2011 Best Employers
.Plan Zimbabwe
.BancABC Zimbabwe
.World Vision Zimbabwe
.Quton (Pvt) Ltd
.Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants
.Schweppes Limited
.Securico Security Services
.Pearl Properties
.Trust Bank Limited
.Clover Leaf Motors Group
Memory Nguwi challenged companies to take part in Best Employers Survey
Nguwi, managing director of Industrial Psychology Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, urged companies in Zimbabwe to take part in this year’s Best Employers Survey as it would benefit their organisations in the long run.
He said they had been approaching various companies from 2006 to take part and the response he had been getting since then was that companies were not ready to take part.
“From 2006, companies have been telling me that they are not ready to take part and the reason being the fear to see what their employees think of them from the report that is then given back to the company,” said Memory.
Nguwi challenged employers saying they should not fear what their employees thought of them as feedback was good for them.
Employer and Employees relationships
Disengagement
When there was disengagement, people were not willing to work for their organisations for different reasons. The Survey shows that there was a difference between an admired and good employer on the ground.
Relationships
Treatment of workers was very critical. If communication was poor, this organisation was not likely to get an award as employees needed a voice and wanted to be heard always.
Promises
One mistake companies make is promising their employees things they know they will not give them or improve. Do not promise things you will not deliver. Most organisations tell their employees they want to cut company costs, but after saying so, employees find a new Mercedes–Benz parked outside.
Employers have to walk the talk because if they are not careful, they will one day find no one at work. They should never be fooled to think that they own employees.
.To participate in the Best Employer Survey 2012 or to request a copy of the National Employee Engagement Report, contact any Industrial Psychology consultants on email ipc@ipcconsultants.com or landline 04-481946-8/481950. Or visit Industrial Psychology Consultants offices at 1 Grosvenor Road, Highlands, Harare.